He called it “cosmic.” He was doing his daily errands and was aware, as was I, that my favorite team, the Philadelphia Phillies, had opened with their first spring training game that day. The fact that I telephoned him was more than ironic.

So, the 67-year-old coach who calls himself “the oldest living, foolish coach in high school baseball” was in his element, very much into his first week of practice.

The face of Eaton baseball, Jim Danley hates it when guys like me point out his considerable accomplishments, but how can we not?

The man is in his 43rd season leading one of Colorado’s few remaining high school dynasties. While much of the state is preoccupied with building new schools, increasing enrollments, jumping leagues or searching for an identity, the Reds just keep rolling along.

Danley’s record is an astonishing 758-160-2, including 10 state championships, 33 league titles and 34 appearances in the state tournament. He has compiled his amazing record without any significant transfers, move-ins or town growth.

When he opened baseball practice last week, it was with the knowledge practices might have to be held indoors.

“It’s just what you would expect for the opening salvo,” Danley said. “Eventually, (the good weather) has to get here, but we’ll be indoors until further notice.”

While dozens of other in-state teams will use some portion of March to travel to warmer climates to have better practice conditions, don’t look for any Reds to pack their suitcases. Traveling out of state isn’t Danley’s thing.

“I’ve been chasing enough guys at 3 in the morning throwing water balloons off the balcony to last a lifetime,” he said.

The Reds will begin play March 13, against Denver North, weather permitting. His team’s talent, Danley said, is good, having won 42 consecutive summer games with a plethora of pitching.

“We jokingly say if you’re born in Eaton, you’re a pitcher until we tell you you’re not,” he said.

Neil Devlin, originally from the Philadelphia area, has covered high school sports in Colorado for more than 30 years, writing about the people, athletes and events of the Rocky Mountain prep sports world.

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